Over the past years, Mozilla Firefox has evolved as one of the fastest, most reliable, and most lightweight alternatives to Chrome browsers. No doubt it is a great browser that suits any user but to distinguish themselves from other browsers, they come up with their own set of error messages.
In which the ssl_error_rx_record_too_long error is predominant and if you have been using other browsers and recently moved to Mozilla Firefox. The Error ssl_error_rx_record_too_long might be alien to you.
Therefore, in this blog, we are going to cover everything about the ssl_error_rx_record_too_long error and also let you know how you can fix this with easy methods. So let’s start from its meaning.
The SSL_ERROR_RX_RECORD_TOO_LONG error indicates that there has been a misconfiguration issue on the server side.
“SSL_ERROR_RX_RECORD_TOO_LONG” Error
Since SSL_ERROR_RX_RECORD_TOO_LONG is specific to Mozilla Firefox, you might not see it in other browsers, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t appear on them. The same type of error might have a different name in other browsers.
The wording might vary, but the meaning is the same. Typically, the SSL_ERROR_RX_RECORD_TOO_LONG error is accompanied by a “Secure Connection Failed” message.
This is a very common error, but the best part is that you can easily fix it by following some simple methods.
Variations of ssl_error_rx_record_too_long error you might encounter
You might encounter SSL_ERROR_RX_RECORD_TOO_LONG errors in different ways influenced by factors such as browser settings, server configurations, and network conditions. But all means the same, here is the list you should check out.
An error occurred during a connection to [domain]: SSL received a record that exceeded the maximum permissible length.
HTTPS connection error in Firefox: SSL_ERROR_RX_RECORD_TOO_LONG
Secure Connection Failed with error SSL_ERROR_RX_RECORD_TOO_LONG
Error code: SSL_ERROR_RX_RECORD_TOO_LONG
The page you are trying to view cannot be shown because the authenticity of the received data could not be verified (SSL_ERROR_RX_RECORD_TOO_LONG)
Firefox SSL_ERROR_RX_RECORD_TOO_LONG
SSL_ERROR_RX_RECORD_TOO_LONG on Firefox
What causes SSL_ERROR_RX_RECORD_TOO_LONG error?
Generally, most error messages come with details on the browser. Some error messages provide information about what is causing the issue and how you can fix it.
Similarly, the SSL_ERROR_RX_RECORD_TOO_LONG error is often accompanied by details mentioning that:
The page you’re trying to view can’t be displayed “because the authenticity of the received data could not be verified.”
It also shows a message that the “secure connection failed,” indicating there is an issue with the site’s SSL certificate.
This error message may result from poor security on the part of the website you’re trying to visit, whether it’s your own or someone else’s.
In a nutshell, the most common cause is that the SSL certificate is not properly configured, and your browser is, therefore, unable to complete the connection with the port on the server successfully. Possible causes include:
Server misconfiguration: If the SSL or TLS is misconfigured at the server level i.e. if the SSL certificate is outdated or not authentic and uploaded to the server it will trigger errors.
A misconfigured listing port: An SSL connection generally happens on port 443 but if the port is misconfigured to use a non-SSL port it will trigger an error.
Your browser doesn’t currently support an adequate version of Transport Layer Security (TLS).
In the past, this used to be a common issue with TLS 1.2.
Recently, it has also been arising with TLS 1.3.
Firefox browser issue: If your Firefox browser is outdated and or it has corrupt files stored result in an error.
Network and Firewall hindrances: Sometimes, Network devices or Firewalls mistakenly block SSL traffic, and due to this SSL handshake doesn’t take place.
Best Ways to Fix the ssl_error_rx_record_too_long error
Now you have an idea of what ssl_error_rx_record_too_long error means and the possible reasons that causing it. It is time to learn how you can fix this. Here are some of the best ways you can follow:
1. Clear Mozilla Firefox’s Browsing History and Cache
Just like any other browser, Mozilla Firefox also has a feature to store website data in the form of a cache to enhance user experience.
However, over time, this cache can become outdated or corrupted, leading to issues. To eliminate such problems, you need to clear your browsing history and cache completely.
1. Open Firefox: Launch your Firefox web browser.
2. Access the Menu: Go to the top-right corner of the browser and click on the Menu icon (three horizontal lines).
3. Navigate to History:
Click on Library.
Select History.
Click on Clear Recent History.
Clearing Firefox Browsing History
4. Choose a Time Range: A popup will appear. To clear all cache data, select the “Everything” option from the drop-down menu.
5. Select Data to Clear:
Click on the Details section to expand it.
Check the box for Cache and any other types of data you want to clear (like Browsing & Download History).
6. Clear the Cache: Click on the Clear Now button to delete the selected data.
2. Update the Mozilla Firefox browser
Like any software, it’s important to keep Firefox updated to the latest version. Updates not only add new features but also fix bugs and improve security.
If you skip these updates, your browser could be at risk from security threats, compatibility problems, and technical issues.
To ensure the best performance and security, make sure to update your Firefox browser regularly. Here’s how to do it step-by-step:
To keep your Firefox browser running smoothly and securely, follow these simple steps to update it:
1. Open Firefox: Launch your Firefox browser.
2. Access the Menu: Click on the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner of the browser.
3. Go to Help: From the drop-down menu, select “Help.”
4. Select About Firefox: In the Help menu, click on “About Firefox.”
Firefox browser’s “About Firefox” option
5. Check for Updates: A new window will open, and Firefox will automatically check for updates. If an update is available, it will start downloading.
Downloading Firefox browser Updates
6. Restart to Update: Once the download is complete, a prompt will appear asking you to restart the browser to finish the update. Click “Restart to Update Firefox.”
Restart to Update Firefox
7. Update Complete: Firefox will restart, and the latest version will be installed.
Firefox Browser is up to date
How to Install the Latest Firefox Version from the Website
If you prefer to download the latest version of Firefox directly from the official website, follow these steps to uninstall the current version and install the new one:
For Windows 11 Users:
Open Run Dialog: Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
Type appwiz.cpl: In the Run dialog box, type “appwiz.cpl” and press Enter.
Uninstall Firefox: From the list of installed programs, find Firefox, right-click on it, and select “Uninstall.”
Follow Prompts: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process.
After uninstalling the current version, visit the official Firefox website to download and install the latest version. This will ensure you have the most up-to-date and secure version of Firefox on your computer.
3. Deactivate Firefox Extensions
Another approach to fixing the ssl_error_rx_record_too_long error is to disable the Firefox extensions you are using, especially ad blockers, firewalls, or antivirus extensions.
These extensions interfere with communication and the SSL handshake, resulting in SSL errors.
However, it would help if you did not disable these extensions permanently. Instead, temporarily disable them to identify the exact cause of the error. If you find an extension causing the issue, replace it with a suitable alternative.
To deactivate/disable the Firefox extensions temporarily follow the steps given below:
1. Open your Firefox browser and click on the menu button (three horizontal lines).
2. Select “Add-ons and themes.”Use the toggle switches to deactivate or disable the extensions.
Disabling Firefox Extensions
3. Once you disable the extensions, restart the browser and check if the ssl_error_rx_record_too_long still appears by accessing the website.
4. If the error is gone, a faulty extension is causing the issue.
5. To identify the problematic extension, toggle each extension back on one by one, refreshing the site each time until the error reappears.
4. Try switching to the HTTP protocol
If you are still facing the ssl_error_rx_record_too_long error, another method you can try is switching to the HTTP protocol. Basically, in this method, you are trying to bypass the security protocols by simply omitting the “s” from “HTTPS” in the URL.
Switching from HTTPS to HTTP protocol
When you remove/delete the “s” from “HTTPS,” it will automatically switch to the HTTP protocol. After that, hit the “Enter” button to reload the page and check if the error persists.
5. Check and Fix Your Misconfigured TLS and SS3 Settings
As we have already mentioned in the above section if your browser doesn’t currently support an adequate version of TLS it would be triggering the error. Therefore fixing or updating your TLS and SS3 settings might fix the issue. To do this, follow the simple steps given below:
1. Open Firefox Configurations: Open a new tab in your Firefox browser and type “about” in the address bar.
2. Proceed with Caution: You might see a warning message saying “This might void your warranty!” or “Proceed with Caution.” Click the “Accept the Risk and Continue” button to move forward.
“Proceed with Caution” warning message on Firefox
3. Search for TLS Settings: An Advanced Preferences screen will appear. Type “TLS” in the search bar. A list of all your TLS configurations will be displayed.
List of all TLS configurations in Firefox
4. Reset Suspicious Values: Look for any bolded values, as these might have been recently changed. Right-click on any bolded values and select “Reset” to restore them to the default settings.
5. Search for SSL3 Settings: Repeat the process by typing “SSL3” in the search bar. Reset any recently changed values.
List of all SSL3 configurations in Firefox
6. Check Security Settings: Ensure the following two items are set to “false” for security purposes:
security.ssl3.dhe_rsa_aes_128_sha
security.ssl3.dhe_rsa_aes_256_sha
By following these steps, you can reset your TLS and SSL3 settings in Firefox to potentially fix the “ssl_error_rx_record_too_long” error.
6. Check and Update Proxy Settings
It is also possible that misconfigured proxy settings might be causing the error. To check if this is the issue, the first thing you need to do is deactivate your proxy settings.
To do this, follow the steps given below:
1. In the Firefox menu, select “Settings.”
2. At the bottom, find “Network Settings” and click “Settings.”
Update proxy Settings in Firefox Mozilla
3. Choose “No proxy” from the options.
Disabling Proxy in Firefox
4. Click “OK” and restart Firefox to see if the error is gone.
7. Check your SSL certificate
Since it is an SSL error, you must make sure the SSL certificate is valid and properly installed. To verify this, You can use any free online tool for this. WPOven offers a handy free SSL Checker Online tool.
Here’s how to use it:
Enter your domain name in the “IP Address or Hostname” field.
Click on the “Check Certificate” button.
These tools provide detailed information about the SSL certificate, such as its expiry date, IP address, authentication, and domain name validity.
You can verify if the certificate is properly installed, correctly configured, and issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). If the certificate is expired or not trusted by recognized CAs, you will need to renew or obtain a new SSL certificate.
8. Add Website to Trusted site list
At last, if none of the above methods fix the ssl_error_rx_record_too_long issue in Firefox, the last thing you can do is add the website to the trusted site list.
If you are a Windows user, follow the steps given below:
1. Open Internet Options: Type “Internet options” in the search bar of your Windows menu and select it.
Internet Options in Windows
2. Go to Security Tab: In the Internet Properties window that opens, click on the “Security” tab.
3. Select Trusted Sites: Click on “Trusted Sites.”
4. Click on the Sites Button: Click the “Sites” button. A new window will open.
5. Enter Website URL: In the new window, enter the URL of the website that’s giving you the error message.
Adding a website to the trusted Site list
6. Add the Site: Click on “Add,” then “Close.”
7. Apply Changes: Click “Apply” and then “OK.”
Now, all browsers on your device will trust this specific website.
We can understand how irritating it would be for anyone to encounter errors while browsing your favorite site. It can be even worse if this ssl_error_rx_record_too_long kind of error doesn’t reveal much and puts you in a confused state.
But you should not worry about it, Our WordPress Experts have provided you with a tried and tested solution to fix this error in no time. All you have to trust the process and follow the steps thoroughly mentioned above.
If still none of the methods work for you, you can directly inform the Website owner and tell them about the issue. In case you are the website owner get help from your hosting provider directly. WPOven’s Expert team is available 24/7 throughout the year to help you out with similar issues.
Rahul Kumar is a web enthusiast, and content strategist specializing in WordPress & web hosting. With years of experience and a commitment to staying up-to-date with industry trends, he creates effective online strategies that drive traffic, boosts engagement, and increase conversions. Rahul’s attention to detail and ability to craft compelling content makes him a valuable asset to any brand looking to improve its online presence.
